TANJUNG MALIM: Artificial insemination is one of the reproductive technologies being used to address the issue of the critically low population of Malayan tigers.Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said it was one of the ex situ programmes at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) in Sungkai to overcome the natural low birth within the endangered species.
“It is still at the trial stage. It has not worked yet as there may be some problems including disease that could affect the ability of these tigers to reproduce naturally,” he told reporters after a visit to NWRC here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Earlier, Nik Nazmi accompanied Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on a visit to the centre.
Royal check: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah looking at a Malayan tiger being treatedat the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Sungkai, Perak. There are innovative plans to stem the decline of such tigers. - Photo: Bernama
Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and the Regent of Pahang Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah also joined His Majesty on the visit that began at about 11.30am.During the visit, Sultan Abdullah was briefed by officials of the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) of Peninsular Malaysia on the operation of NWRC and witnessed for himself the wildlife conservation initiatives at the centre including those for the Malayan tiger, sun bear, tapir and gaur (seladang).
Perhilitan aims to increase the Malayan tiger population to 400 in the next 10 years.
Nik Nazmi also said his ministry took note of the threat of extinction of other endangered wildlife species.
He said to address the issue, the ministry through Perhilitan has set up conservation centres such as the National Elephant Conservation Centre and Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre, both in Lanchang, Pahang.
It has also set up tapir and gaur conservation centres.
